Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Sign Middle Blocker and Outside Hitter to 2022 Signing Class
11/9/2022 4:25:00 PM | Volleyball
Colorado State sign Kekua Richards and Taylor Pagan to be Rams in 2023
Colorado State volleyball announced Thursday the addition of Kekua Richards and Taylor Pagan to the continue their volleyball career apart of the Ram family following high school graduation.
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"Our '23 signees are a great combination of athleticism and great spirit and personality. I think they are a great fit for Ram Volleyball and I'm excited to see how they progress," Head Coach Tom Hilbert said.
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Richards is a 6'7" middle blocker out of Seaburry Hall High School in Pa'ia, Hawaii. The incoming freshman boasts a Maui Interscholastic League championship as well as being names to the 2021 MIL Girl's volleyball All-Star list. Richards plans to pursue an Animal Science and Biology major while on campus.
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"There were so many reasons why I chose Colorado State," Richards said. "I love the environment and community; it feels just like home which is going to help me tremendously in my college life. The education is amazing especially for the major that I want to go into, as they are the 3rd ranked veterinary school in the country. Everything really just fell perfectly into place, and I love it so much!"
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"Kekua comes to Fort Collins with the gift of length, you can't train 6-7," Associate Head Coach Emily Kohan said. "She's fairly new to high level volleyball, and she also moves laterally very well for someone of her height and youth. Many of our fans will be reminded of Kirstie Hillyer when they first see her. This community will fall in love with her bubbly personality that she showcases with her high-energy play. Her physicality is primed to take over matches as she continues to develop with college experience."
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Pagan is a 6'0" outside hitter out of Mater Lakes Academy in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The incoming freshman boasts two Florida state titles in both 2020 and 2021. Pagan plans to major in Sports Medicine during her time at Colorado State.
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"I choose Colorado State for their morals and what their program does for their athletes," Pagan said.
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"Taylor is a phenomenal 6-rotation player that has been on our radar since she was in 8th grade," Kohan said. "She's physical with a heavy arm, but also knows how to pass well and play in the back row at a high level. She has played on both pins in her career and could easily fit into our system as either an outside hitter or opposite. She's also has a huge heart and gives endlessly to her teammates and friends."
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While the Rams welcome in next year's freshman class, they will compete in their final regular season home series this week, honoring their senior athlete and managers Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. before their matchup with Air Force.
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"Our '23 signees are a great combination of athleticism and great spirit and personality. I think they are a great fit for Ram Volleyball and I'm excited to see how they progress," Head Coach Tom Hilbert said.
Â
Richards is a 6'7" middle blocker out of Seaburry Hall High School in Pa'ia, Hawaii. The incoming freshman boasts a Maui Interscholastic League championship as well as being names to the 2021 MIL Girl's volleyball All-Star list. Richards plans to pursue an Animal Science and Biology major while on campus.
Â
"There were so many reasons why I chose Colorado State," Richards said. "I love the environment and community; it feels just like home which is going to help me tremendously in my college life. The education is amazing especially for the major that I want to go into, as they are the 3rd ranked veterinary school in the country. Everything really just fell perfectly into place, and I love it so much!"
Â
"Kekua comes to Fort Collins with the gift of length, you can't train 6-7," Associate Head Coach Emily Kohan said. "She's fairly new to high level volleyball, and she also moves laterally very well for someone of her height and youth. Many of our fans will be reminded of Kirstie Hillyer when they first see her. This community will fall in love with her bubbly personality that she showcases with her high-energy play. Her physicality is primed to take over matches as she continues to develop with college experience."
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Pagan is a 6'0" outside hitter out of Mater Lakes Academy in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The incoming freshman boasts two Florida state titles in both 2020 and 2021. Pagan plans to major in Sports Medicine during her time at Colorado State.
Â
"I choose Colorado State for their morals and what their program does for their athletes," Pagan said.
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"Taylor is a phenomenal 6-rotation player that has been on our radar since she was in 8th grade," Kohan said. "She's physical with a heavy arm, but also knows how to pass well and play in the back row at a high level. She has played on both pins in her career and could easily fit into our system as either an outside hitter or opposite. She's also has a huge heart and gives endlessly to her teammates and friends."
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While the Rams welcome in next year's freshman class, they will compete in their final regular season home series this week, honoring their senior athlete and managers Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. before their matchup with Air Force.
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